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State Fair To Non-Illinois Birds: Keep Out

Philip Nelson, director of the Department of Agriculture, says non-Illinois birds are being barred from the state fair in order to protect the state's poultry industry.
Brian Mackey
/
WUIS
Philip Nelson, director of the Department of Agriculture, says non-Illinois birds are being barred from the state fair in order to protect the state's poultry industry.

Illinois officials say the threat of bird flu required limits on poultry at this year’s Illinois State Fair.Brian Mackey reports on Illinois' attempts to keep bird flu from spreading at the state fair.

This strain of avian influenza entered the U.S. last December. So far it’s infected flocks in all the states surrounding Illinois.

Philip Nelson, director of the Department of Agriculture, says non-Illinois birds are being barred from the state fair in order to protect the state's poultry industry.
Credit Brian Mackey / WUIS
/
WUIS
Philip Nelson, director of the Department of Agriculture, says non-Illinois birds are being barred from the state fair in order to protect the state's poultry industry.

State Department of Agriculture Director Philip Nelson says it’s resulted in 48 million birds either dying or being killed. Because of that, he says bird exhibitions at the state fair will be limited to Illinois birds.

“We’re doing it as a precaution, for the most part just to protect our poultry industry in this state," he says.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture says there have been no reports of humans being infected with this particular strain of bird flu.

Copyright 2015 NPR Illinois | 91.9 UIS

Brian Mackey formerly reported on state government and politics for NPR Illinois and a dozen other public radio stations across the state. Before that, he was A&E editor at The State Journal-Register and Statehouse bureau chief for the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin.
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